Inside NSP returns - 3 Dying vision - 5 ▲ Burning desire - 6 GOOD NEWS Life-changer - 8 FOR NORWICH & NORFOLK Easter 2015: FREE Words of faith - 12 Norwich Bishop leads call to engage in politics ■ The Bishop of Norwich has led a nationwide engage in the political process ahead of the have more influence than I had thought. While call for church-goers to get involved in politics General Election and to put aside self-interest bishops may not be as attractive as Russell Brand ahead of the May 7 General Election, to put aside and vote for 'the common good': "The privileges of we can urge members of our Church to regard self-interest and to vote for 'the common good'. living in a democracy mean that we should use politics as immensely worthwhile and a way to The House of Bishops of the Church of our votes thoughtfully, prayerfully and with the create a better society." England expressed the hope for political parties good of others in mind not just our own interests." The letter states: "In Britain, we have become to discern "a fresh moral vision of the kind of The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham so used to believing that self-interest drives every country we want to be" ahead of the election. James, said: "This pastoral letter isn't addressed decision, that it takes a leap of imagination to In a pastoral letter from the House of Bishops to politicians but to members of the Church of argue that there should be stronger institutions for to the people and parishes of the Church of England. It encourages them to use their vote those we disagree with as well as for those 'on England, the Bishops urge Christians to consider and get involved in politics, since even within the our side.' Breaking free of self-interest and wel- the question how can we "build the kind of society Church we sense a growing disengagement. coming our opponents as well as our supporters which many people say they want but which is not "Just recently a Foodbank volunteer told me into a messy, noisy, yet rich and creative commu- yet being expressed in the vision of any parties?" she had given up on politics and one of our youth nity of communities is, perhaps, the only way we Rev David Austin. The letter also encourages church members to leaders said he wouldn't vote. Russell Brand may will enrich our almost-moribund political culture." David set to take Norfolk High Sheriff over at St Luke’s ■ NORWICH: The new vicar for St Luke's, St Augustine's and C3 church in New Catton, Norwich, has been named as Rev David Austin, a former homeless and mental health outreach worker. David, who is currently a curate at St Peter's, is a real champion Addingham near Bradford, will be moving to Norwich in June. David spent a year in Birmingham with the High Sheriff of provide decent standards of City Mission learning about Urban Evangelism accommodation for military - door-to-door witness, preaching in the Bullring Norfolk, Lady Pippa families visiting their injured and handing out tracts, selling Bibles in the Dannatt, has used loved ones. market and running Children's Bible clubs. The The Dannatts worship at mission also ran a traditional soup kitchen and her 12 months in the their village church in hostel for homeless men. "It was here that I got my first experience of ceremonial office to Keswick, South Norfolk, and homeless work and this led me to spending 20 champion a cause have always felt it right to years in Manchester and East London as an belong to their local church in Outreach & Care Manager for the homeless very close to her the village where Lady and those with psychiatric needs," said David. heart - that of mental Dannatt was born. ■ Nicky Gumbel, the David spent three years with a Missionary Of her own Christian faith, pioneer of the Alpha Society (YWAM) in London, Mexico and health. Helen Baldry Liverpool and three years as a Community she says: "Faith matures, Course, which has seen Member of the Anglican Franciscans (Society reports. and perhaps one becomes over 20 million people increasingly aware of the of St Francis) in East London, whilst testing out find out about the his vocation. He also did a two-year diploma at things that are really, really Christian faith across the London Bible College in the mid 1980s. arried to the former important. I've become more 169 nations, will speak "For me, the essence of Christianity is head of the British accepting of other people just at the Big Alpha Supper 'renewed humanity' through the God-Man Army Lord, Richard as they are. near Norwich on Jesus Christ. Wherever people are seeking to M October 2. Dannatt, Pippa is a trained "Actually, all that matters at renew themselves by loving their neighbours ??????? counsellor - she has worked for the end of the day is love. It and being true to what they know of God, I sounds so simplistic, doesn't it, believe healing and transformation can occur. 18 years for Relate and with a “I believe we have the potential 'In Christ' to number of GP surgeries. but what a different place the world would be if we only repair our broken lives and broken communities Mental health problems are when Heaven breaks through to Earth and something she is very used to truly loved our neighbour - God's will is seen on Earth as in Heaven," said being around, and experienced whoever, and wherever he or David. "We need to work for the advancement herself with postnatal she might be - as ourselves." of God's Kingdom and not just restrict depression after the birth of Pippa, who first met future ourselves to living within the Church." two of her four children. She husband Richard while David studied theology at St John's encourages people to be studying for a theology degree (Cranmer Hall) Durham in 2009-2011 and the training included practical placements in a high honest about mental health at Durham University, raised her family at various army security prison and a summer placement in the issues. "The more people talk Durban townships in South Africa. about it the less scary, less of a bases around the world, taboo there is." following her husband's career A highlight of Lady right to the pinnacle of the Dannatt's year as High Sheriff - British Army. In fact, the Election hustings traditionally the Queen's family moved 24 times in 34 representative for law years. She described moving ■ NORWICH: Transforming Norwich will enforcement - has been around as 'tough' but also said, be staging the traditional General Election meeting the unsung heroes "being an army wife makes hustings events for local Parliamentary of the voluntary sector, you very independent", this is candidates in two city churches leading up to particularly the number of evident in the way she and her the May 7 poll. women and their selfless husband undertake their own The hustings for candidates in the Norwich North constituency will be at Norwich Central commitment to other people. roles and projects. Baptist Church on April 16 and the one for Pippa was made an MBE in Lady Dannatt is part of the Gurney family, whose Norfolk Norwich South will be at Holy Trinity church on 2013 for her work with SSAFA, April 29. More details will be confirmed nearer in particular spearheading a history stretches back ■ The High Sheriff of Norfolk, Lady Pippa Dannatt. Picture by Julia Holland. the time. All are welcome.. £5m fundraising drive to story continues on page 4 2 Good News for Norwich & Norfolk, Easter 2015 www.networknorfolk.co.uk NEWS GOOD NEWS The profound truth of the Easter story FOR NORWICH & NORFOLK ■ Traditionally for Christians, the run-up to friends where so initially overwhelmed by the ■ Rev Good News for Norwich & Norfolk is Easter - Lent - is the time when we examine situation that engulfed their friend that their published by Celebrate Norwich & Norfolk. ourselves, maybe even deny ourselves a little, Suzanne response was to sit with him in silence for seven Registered charity no 1141245. ■ create some time and space and use that Cooke days. Suffice it to say that there are many who Website: www.networknorfolk.co.uk space to grow closer to God. For some it’s a can understand and sympathise with Fry’s anger ■ Editorial (01508) 488318. e-mail stories to Priest-in- penitential time, a time when we look more and dismay. I’ve heard it said that we are an [email protected] or send closely at how we fall short of who God would Charge “Easter people”. But what might that mean to copy to Pear Tree Farmhouse, Wymondham have us aspire to be. someone that believes they have no reason to Road, Wreningham, Norwich NR16 1AT. Upper Tas It’s an inescapable fact that as priests in the believe in the healing power of Christ? What, in ■ Advertising: Helen Baldry (01603) 926120 Valley Church of England many people, rightly, have the face of such innocent suffering, does our ■ Distribution: Les Champion (01603) 402310 Benefice ■ Editor and designer: Keith Morris high expectations of who they think we are, of Christian faith have to offer us, to offer them? ■ Regular writers: Kevin Gotts, Mike who I am. And I often wonder if people, I believe the essence of our Christian story Wiltshire, Sandie Shirley, Helen Baldry, Les optimistically, expect us to have some kind of lies in the profound truth that we create beauty, Champion.